Tape dispenser

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface, and an exterior surface concentric to such interior surface. The dispenser comprises an arcuate, resilient bearing member arranged to engage the interior surface of the roll of tape, a tape-cutting assembly arranged to engage the exterior of the roll of tape, and a mounting structure for retaining the bearing member and the tape-cutting assembly in positions for engaging the interior and exterior surfaces, respectively, of the roll of tape. The application of force on the mounting structure below the bearing member to urge it toward the bearing member flexes the mounting structure at its junction with the bearing member and raises the cutting assembly away from the bearing member for mounting the tape dispenser on the roll of tape or for removing the tape dispenser from the roll of tape. The cutting assembly includes a guide disposed transversely to the exposed surface of the roll of tape to prevent the free end of the roll of tape, after the severance of the end of the roll of tape, from falling back onto the roll of tape. Thus, a free end for convenient gripping is assured. In addition, the cutting edge of the cutting assembly projects upwardly and outwardly, and below the cutting edge is an oppositely directed projection with a curved surface therebetween, for providing an exposed, unobstructed free end portion for the roll of tape for easy grasping and gripping. An indentation on the curved surface between the cutting edge and the lower oppositely directed projection further facilitates the grasping of the free end of the roll of tape.

United States Patent [72] inventor Akita llteda Los Altos Hills, Calif. [2i] Appl. No. 826,500 [22] Filed May 21, 1969 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [73] Assignee Sam I. lshigo San Jose, Calif. Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 802,382, Feb. 26, 1969. This application May 21, i969. Ser. No. 826.500

[54] TAPE DISPENSER 8 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] 225/65, 225/90 [51] int. Cl 826i 3/02 [50] Field ofSearch..... 225/25, 26. 55. 56. 58, 65, 67. 90

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.262260 ll/l94l Smith 225/56 2,842,201 7/1958 Vogt 225/56 FOREIGN PATENTS 915,691 l/l963 Great Britain 225/58 Primary Examiner-Andrew R. .Iuhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorneys-Jack M. Wiseman and Thomas E. Schatzel ABSTRACT: A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface, and an exterior surface concentric to such interior surface. The dispenser comprises an arcuate. resilient bearing member arranged to engage the interior surface of the roll of tape. a tape-cutting assembly arranged to engage the exterior of the roll of tape. and a mounting structure for retaining the bearing member and the tape-cutting assembly in positions for engaging the interior and exterior surfaces. respectively. of the roll of tape.

The application of force on the mounting structure below the bearing member to urge it toward the bearing member flexes the mounting structure at its junction with the bearing member and raises the cutting assembly away from the bearing member for mounting the tape dispenser on the roll of tape or for removing the tape dispenser from the roll of tape.

The cutting assembly includes a guide disposed transversely to the exposed surface of the roll of tape to prevent the free end of the roll of tape. after the severance of the end of the roll of tape. from falling back onto the roll of tape. Thus. a free end for convenient gripping is assured. In addition, the cutting edge of the cutting assembly projects upwardly and outwardly. and below the cutting edge is an oppositely directed projection with a curved surface therebetween. for providing an exposed, unobstructed free end portion for the roll of tape for easy grasping and gripping. An indentation on the curved surface between the cutting edge and the lower oppositely directed projection further facilitates the grasping of the free end of the roll of tape.

PATENTEUunv 30 l97| 3, 623 643 IJNTOR. AK! IKEDA BY 1 1M ATTORNEYS TAPE DISPENSER RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Ser. No. 802,382, filed Feb. 26, 1969, for Tape Dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to rolls of tape, such as, e.g., adhesive tape; and more particularly to a device for aiding the dispensing of tape from such a roll. Tape dispensers have been well known in the prior art. U.S. Patents disclosing tape dispensers are as follows: No. 2,40l,286, No. 3,138,3 ID, No. 3,109,570. The known dispensers have, however, exhibited a number of disadvantages, with respect of both their manufacture and use. Thus, many of the known tape dispensers have been of complex structure, the manufacture thereof being inordinately difi'icult arid costly. In addition, many of the tape dispensers known in the prior art have been difficult to employ. A particular problem encountered in the employment of any of the known tape dispensers, has been the necessity of adjustment thereof, in order to compensate for the removal of tape from a roll on which the dispenser is mounted. Tape dispensers heretofore available did not provide adequate arrangements for gripping the free end of the roll of tape after severance, and did not provide an arrangement for preventing the free end of the tape from rolling back on the roll of tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tape dispenser, which serves to overcome the above-discussed disadvantages encountered in both the manufacture and use of the tape dispensers known in the prior art. The tape dispenser of the present invention serves to aid the removal of tape, such as, e.g., adhesive tape, from a tape roll. The tape dispenser of the invention is of comparatively simple structure; is comparatively inexpensive; and is comparatively easy to manufacture. In addition, the tape dispenser of the invention is comparatively easy to employ. As one advantage is respect of the employment thereof, the tape dispenser of the invention, being freefloating" on a roll of tape upon which it is mounted, does not require adjustment thereof, in order to compensate for the removal of tape from such roll.

In addition to the foregoing, the tape dispenser of the present invention provides for the easy gripping of the free end of the roll of tape after severance. Toward this end, the cutting assembly includes a guide disposed transversely to the exposed end of the roll of tape to prevent the free end of the roll of tape, after the severance of the end of the roll of tape, from falling back onto the roll of tape. Also, the cutting edge of the cutting assembly projects upwardly and outwardly, and below the cutting edge is an oppositely directed fingerlike projection with an arcuate surface therebetween, for providing an exposed, unobstructed free end portion for the roll of tape for easy grasping and gripping. An indentation with arcuate surface further facilitates the grasping of the free end of the roll of tape.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art, from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a view in a perspective view of a tape dispenser constructed in accordance with the invention, the dispenser being shown mounted on a roll of tape.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the tape dispenser and roll of tape of FIG. 1.

The dispenser 10, which in the exemplary embodiment, is made of plastic material, such as polypropylene, an comprises an arcuate bearing member 14 conforming to the contour of the inner surface of the roll of tape 12. The bearing member 14 is approximately of the same width as the roll of tape 12. An arcuate base 15 (FIG. 1) of the bearing member 14 engages the inner surface of the roll of tape 12 and has a configuration conforming to the contour thereof. Thus, the arcuate base 15 is the same radius of curvature as the interior cylindrical surface of the roll of tape 12, which may be a suitable cardboard core or the like.

Upwardly from the curved base 15 along an edge thereof is a curved rim or flange 16 for the bearing member 14, which engages one side of the roll of tape 12. Joining one end of the bearing member 14 at the end extremity of the arcuate base 15 is a mounting support structure 20. The support structure 20 includes an arcuate base 24, which joins the arcuate base 15 of the bearing member 14 at a junction 18. The arcuate base 24 is of the same width as the arcuate base 15.

Carried by the arcuate base 24 is an upright support member 27 of the mounting structure 20, which extends from the arcuate base 24 along an edge thereof to engage a side of the roll of tape 12 opposite from the side of the roll of tape 12 engaged by the flange 16 of the bearing member 14. Thus, the space between the upright support member 27 and the upright flange 16 is slightly greater than the width of the roll of tape 12.

Mounted on the support member 27 of the mounting structure 20 is the tape-cutting assembly 22. The tape-cutting assembly 22 comprises a base 30 with a curved upper surface 31, which conforms in contour to the configuration of the upper surface of the support member and forms and even transverse wall therewith. In addition thereto, the base 30 is formed at one extremity thereof with a lower digit 32 having an arcuate free end for engaging the upper cylindrical or exterior wall of the roll of tape 12, which serves as an anchor for the tape-cutting assembly to stabilize the same on the roll of tape 12.

At the opposite extremity thereof, the base 30 is formed with an upper digit 33, which defines transverse cutting edge 33 suitable for cutting the free end of the roll of tape 12. A blade could be fixed to the base 30 or the cutting edge 33 could be honed for cutting tape. The upright member 27 is movable relative to the bearing member 14.

Intermediate the digits 32 and 33, the base 30 includes a digit 34, which has its arcuate free end spaced from the exterior surface of the roll of tape 12 (FIG. 2). The curvature of the free end of the digit 34 is suitable to form a tape guide or bulging portion. The digits 32 and 34 project toward the exterior surface of the roll of tape 12, and the digit 33 is oppositely directed with respect to the digits 32 and 34. The body 30 along with the digits 32-34 extend transversely across the roll of tape 12 for a distance slightly greater than the width of the roll of tape 12. A semicylindrical wall 35 on the base 30 is disposed between the digits 32 and 34. Between the digits 33 and 34, the base 30 has a somewhat S-curved wall 36 and provides an exposed surface for the end of the tape sufficient in length to be gripped. The purpose of the digit 34 is to render easier the engagement of the free end of the tape 12 for pulling to take up slack and the like. In addition, thereto, the cutting edge digit 33 is elevated and directed at an angle away from the exterior surface of the roll of tape 12 and also the digit 34 is oppositely directed with respect to the digit 33 with a curved or bulbous projection so as to provide a sufficiently exposed portion of the free end of the tape for easy grasping and gripping.

Intermediate the digits 33 and 34, the base 30 includes a recessed area on indentation 40 suitable to receive the top or fingernail of an operator's finger to flip the free end of the roll of tape 12 to facilitate the grasping or gripping of the free end of the roll of tape 12.

Mounted on the support member 27 and spaced from the base 30 below the cutting edge 33' in engagement with the exterior surface of the roll of tape 12 along with the free end of the digit 32 is a transverse guide 41 of the tape cutting assembly 22 in the form of a rod or bar. The guide 41 serves to prevent the free end of the roll of tape 12 from falling onto the exterior wall of the roll of tape 12 after severance of the free end of the roll oftape.

ln the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the bearing member 14, the mounting structure 20, and the cutting assembly 22 are integrally formed and constitute a unitary structure suitably formed by plastic molding on the like. The bearing member 14 has a springlike characteristic in that it is constantly urged toward the base 30 of the tape-cutting assembly 22 and particularly fingers 32 and 34 thereof and the guide 41. The junction 18 between the bearing assembly 14 and the base 24 of the support structure 20 is yieldable, resilient and flexes.

ln mounting the dispenser on the roll of tape 12, an operator applies a force onto the base 24 of the support structure 20 to urge the same toward the base of the bearing member 14. By so pressing the base 24, the base 24 and the support structure move relative to the base 15 in the bearing member 14 through the flexible, yieldable and resilient characteristics of the junction 18. This action carries the upright member 27 of the support structure 20 in the same direction, which in turn moves the tape-cutting assembly 22 in the same direction. Thus, the space between the base 15 of the bearing member 14 and the digits 32 and 34 of the base 31 and the guide 41 of the tape cutting assembly 22 is increased. Thus, the roll of tape 12 is moved axially over the flange 14 toward the upright member 27 to be seated on the base 15 by movement toward the base 15 with one side of the roll of tape 12 engaging the upright member 27 and with the other side of the roll of tape 12 engaging the flange 16. The operator releases the base 24 and the free end of the digit 32 and the guide 41 engage the exterior wall of the roll of tape 12.

To remove the dispenser 10 from the roll of tape 12, the operator presses the base 24 of the support structure 20 toward the base 15 of the bearing member 14, As a consequence thereof, the support structure 20 moves relative to the bearing member 14 about the junction 18 in a manner previously described. This action results in increased space between the base 15 of the bearing member 14 and the digits 32 and 34 and the guide 41 of the tape-cutting assembly 22. Now, the roll of the tape 12 is raised away from the base 15 of the bearing member 14 until the flange 16 is cleared. Then, the roll of tape is moved axially away from the upright member 27 until removed from the dispenser 10.

While the dispenser 10 is mounted on the roll of tape 12, the free end T (H0. 2) of the roll of tape 12 has one side thereof in contact with the wall of the support plate 27 and passes below the free end of the digit 32, then continues to bend about the bulbous end of the digit 34 for passing over the cutting edge 33. An operator by the application of force causes the free end T of the roll of tape 12 to be severed by the cutting edge 33'. After severance, the new free end T of the tape will rest on the transverse guide 41.

As the thickness of the roll 12 is reduced, the resilient hearing member 14 serves to draw the mounting structure 20 and tape-cutting assembly 22 in an axially inward direction. The guide 41 and the tape engagement digit 32 are thus maintained on their respective operative positions, relative to the exterior cylindrical surface of the roll of tape 12.

The present invention provides a tape dispenser that is compact and is storable with the roll of tape. The tape dispenser of the present invention is carried by the roll of tape and adjusts automatically to the changes in the thickness of the tape as the tape is used and expended.

lclaim:

l, A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface and an exterior surface disposed concentric with said interior surface, said dispenser comprising:

a. an arcuate bearing member adapted to engage said interior surface;

b. a tape-cutting assembly adapted to engage said exterior surface; and

c. a yieldable mounting structure interconnecting said hearing member and said tape-cutting assembly for maintaining the same in said respective positions of engaging said interior and exterior surface of the roll of tape,

(1. said tape-cutting assembly comprising a body with a tapeengaging portion fixed to said body and extending therefrom toward said bearing member to engage said exterior surface to stabilize said tape cutting assembly on the roll of tape,

e. said body comprising a cutting edge projecting in a direction opposite from the direction in which said tapeengaging portion extends,

f. said body comprising a tape guide portion fixed to said body and spaced from said cutting edge in the same general direction as does said tape-engaging portion, said tape guide portion engaging said exterior surface and enabling the free end of the roll of tape to advance thereabove, when said tape-engaging portion engages said exterior surface, said tape guide portion facilitating the gripping of the free end of the roll of tape.

2. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tapeengaging portion, said cutting edge and said tape guide portion have digital configurations with a width commensurate with the width of the roll of tape.

3. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a tape guide mounted on said mounting structure in spaced relations to said body and disposed transversely relative to said roll of tape, said tape guide inhibiting the free end of the roll of tape from falling onto the exterior surface of the roll of tape after the severance of the free end of the roll of tape.

4. A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface and an exterior surface disposed con centric to said interior surface, said dispenser comprising:

a. an arcuate bearing member adapted to engage said interior surface;

b. a tape-cutting assembly adapted to engage said exterior surface;

c. a mounting structure for interconnecting said bearing member and said tape-cutting assembly in said respective positions for engaging said interior and exterior surface;

d. said tape-cutting assembly comprising a body with a tapeengaging portion extending therefrom toward said bear ing member to engage said exterior surface;

e. said body comprising a cutting edge projecting in a direction opposite from the direction in which said tape engaging portion extends; said body comprising a tape guide portion projecting in the same direction as does said tape-engaging portion and projecting in a direction opposite from which said cutting edge projects, said tape guide portion being spaced from said exterior surface when said tape-engaging portion engages said exterior surface, and

g. a tape guide mounted on said mounting structure in spaced relation to said tape-engaging portion and below said cutting edge, said tape guide engages said exterior surface.

5. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein said body is formed with a generally S-curved surface between said cutting edge and said tape guide portion for providing an ex posed surface for the free end of the roll of tape to facilitate the gripping thereof.

6. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein said body is formed with a recessed area adjacent said S-curved surface for further facilitating the gripping of the free end of the roll of tape.

7. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting structure comprises an arcuate base joined to one end portion of said bearing member, said arcuate base being movable relative to said bearing member through the yieldable action of the junction therebetween, said mounting structure further comprising a support member movable with said arcuate base and on which is carried said body for movement therewith.

8. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support member engages one side of the roll of tape and said bearing member includes a flange to engage the other side of said roll of tape.

in is .i. a. 

1. A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface and an exterior surface disposed concentric with said interior surface, said dispenser comprising: a. an arcuate bearing member adapted to engage said interior surface; b. a tape-cutting assembly adapted to engage said exterior surface; and c. a yieldable mounting structure interconnecting said bearing member and said tape-cutting assembly for maintaining the same in said respective positions of engaging said interior and exterior surface of the roll of tape, d. said tape-cutting assembly comprising a body with a tapeengaging portion fixed to said body and extending therefrom toward said bearing member to engage said exterior surface to stabilize said tape cutting assembly on the roll of tape, e. said body comprising a cutting edge projecting in a direction opposite from the direction in which said tape-engaging portion extends, f. said body comprising a tape guide portion fixed to said body and spaced from said cutting edge in the same general direction as does said tape-engaging portion, said tape guide portion engaging said exterior surface and enabling the free end of the roll of tape to advance thereabove, when said tape-engaging portion engages said exterior surface, said tape guide portion facilitating the gripping of the free end of the roll of tape.
 2. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tape-engaging portion, said cutting edge and said tape guide portion have digital configurations with a width commensurate with the width of the roll of tape.
 3. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 and comprising a tape guide mounted on said mounting structure in spaced relations to said body and disposed transversely relative to said roll of tape, said tape guide inhibiting the free end of the roll of tape from falling onto the exterior surface of the roll of tape after the severance of the free end of the roll of tape.
 4. A tape dispenser for use with a roll of tape having a curved interior surface and an exterior surface disposed concentric to said interior surface, said dispenser comprising: a. an arcuate bearing member adapted to engage said interior surface; b. a tape-cutting assembly adapted to engage said exterior surface; c. a mounting structure for interconnecting said bearing member and said tape-cutting assembly in said respective positions for engaging said interior and exterior surface; d. said tape-cutting assembly comprising a body with a tape-engaging portion extending therefrom toward said bearing member to engage said exterior surface; e. said body comprising a cutting edge projecting in a direction opposite from the direction in which said tape-engaging portion extends; f. said body comprising a tape guide portion projecting in the same direction as does said tape-engaging portion and projecting in a direction opposite from which said cutting edge projects, said tape guide portion being spaced from said exterior surface when said tape-engaging portion engages said exterior surface, and g. a tape guide mounted on said mounting structure in spaced relation to said tape-engaging portion and below said cutting edge, said tape guide engages said exterior surface.
 5. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein said body is formed with a generally S-curved surface between said cutting edge and said tape guide portion for providing an exposed surface for the free end of the roll of tape to facilitate the gripping thereof.
 6. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 5 wherein said body is formed with a recessed area adjacent said S-curved surface for further facilitating the gripping of the free end of the roll of tape.
 7. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting structure comprises an arcuate base joined to one end portion of said bearing member, said arcuate base being movable relative to said bearing member through the yieldable action of the junction therebetween, said mounting structure further comprising a support member movable with said arcuate base and on which is carried said body for movement therewith.
 8. A tape dispenser as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support member engages one side of said roll of tape and said bearing member includes a flange to engage the other side of said roll of tape. 